Holy Chow! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Matzah

Matzah (or matzo) is unleavened bread eaten during Passover. According to the Torah, the Israelites left Egypt in such a hurry that there was no time for their bread to rise, so they baked it without leavening. To commemorate this, observant Jews refrain from eating leavened products (chametz) during Passover and instead eat matzah.

Matzah is crisp, cracker-like, and famously plain. It's so plain that Jewish humor will at times treat it as the culinary embodiment of suffering. But it is also a central ritual food of the Seder meal, a tangible reminder of both slavery and liberation, eaten with symbolic pairings like bitter herbs and charoset, a mixture of fruit and nuts.

Answer: Bread and wine

In Christian tradition, bread and wine are consumed during the sacrament of Communion (also called the Eucharist or the Lord's Supper). This ritual recalls the Last Supper, when Jesus broke bread and shared wine with his disciples, telling them, "Do this in remembrance of me." For many Christians, the bread symbolizes Christ's body and the wine his blood.

Different denominations approach this ritual in distinct ways: Catholics believe in "transubstantiation" (the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ), while many Protestant groups view it as symbolic. Either way, it is one of the central practices of Christian worship, observed regularly across the world.

Answer: Dates

Muslims traditionally break their daily Ramadan fast with dates, often accompanied by water. This practice follows the example of the Prophet Muhammad, who is said to have broken his fast with fresh dates, or with dried dates if fresh were not available. Dates have the added benefit of also being practical in that they provide a quick source of natural sugar and energy after a long day without food or drink.

After the initial breaking of the fast (iftar), the meal typically continues with a variety of regional dishes, which can range from soups and breads to rice and meats. But the humble date always a favored nod to tradition and a welcome boost.

Answer: Prasad

In Hindu worship, food offered to the gods is called prasad (or prasadam). The word means grace or favor, and the idea is that once food has been symbolically consumed by the deity, it becomes blessed. Observants then share and eat the prasad as a way of receiving divine grace.

The offerings can range from simple fruit or sweets to elaborate meals, depending on the occasion and temple tradition. Prasad is all about reciprocity: worshippers give to the deity, and in return, they receive spiritual nourishment.

Answer: Haoma

In Zoroastrianism, haoma is a sacred drink prepared and consumed during the Yasna ritual. It is pressed from the stalks of the haoma plant, mixed with water or milk, and then ritually consumed by priests. The drink represents divine inspiration and vitality, and the ceremony itself is believed to channel spiritual strength into the community.

The haoma plant is related to soma in ancient Vedic tradition, both terms likely referring to the same or similar plant used for ritual purposes. The exact identity of the original plant is still a question for debate, though ephedra has often been suggested.

Answer: Corn

For the Aztecs, maize (corn) was not just food; it was the stuff of people. According to Aztec mythology, the gods formed humans out of maize dough after several failed attempts with other materials. This belief reflected the crop's central role in Mesoamerican life. Maize was the staple food, eaten daily in tortillas, tamales, and many other forms. Religious ceremonies often included offerings of maize, sometimes in the form of figurines or dough shaped into symbolic objects.

Answer: Ital

The Rastafarian Ital diet emphasizes foods that are "vital" meaning pure, natural, and unprocessed. Followers avoid artificial additives, salt, alcohol, and, in stricter forms, all animal products. The goal is to live in harmony with nature and keep the body, seen as a temple, in its most natural state. Ital food is often vegan or vegetarian, though some Rastafarians may eat fish.

Answer: Shinsen

In Shinto practice, food offerings made to the kami are called shinsen. These offerings usually include rice, sake, vegetables, fruits, and fish, all presented in their most natural form. The foods are prepared and arranged with precision, reflecting the Shinto emphasis on ritual and respect.

Once the kami have been honored, the offerings are often consumed by the priests or participants, creating a bond between the divine and the community. In this sense, shinsen, much like the Hindu prasad, is as much about feeding the gods as about sharing hospitality.

Answer: Langar

The Sikh langar is a community kitchen found in every Gurdwara, where free vegetarian meals are served to anyone, regardless of religion, caste, gender, or social status. Established by Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, the tradition focuses on equality, humility, and service. Volunteers (called sevadars) prep, cook, and serve the food, while guests sit together on the floor to eat, representing the breaking down of social hierarchies.

The food is simple, nourishing, and vegetarian so that it can be acceptable to all. For visitors, the warmth of langar can be felt in its spirit of inclusion as well as in the chapati and dal they might find on their plates.

Answer: Dairy products

Jain vegetarianism is among the strictest in the world. It prohibits not only meat, fish, and eggs, but also root vegetables such as onions, garlic, and potatoes, because pulling up the plant is seen as killing it entirely and disturbing countless microorganisms in the soil. Fermented foods, including wine, are also avoided because fermentation implies the presence of living organisms. They also do not eat leftovers (technically, food that has been stored overnight) because it's likely to contain a higher concentration of micro-organisms.

What is allowed, traditionally, are dairy products, provided they are obtained without cruelty (in practice, this can be a chore in modern dairy industries). Milk, ghee, and freshly prepared yogurt have long been part of Jain diets, though some contemporary Jains are now moving toward veganism to better align with ahimsa.

And I thought my vegan step-son was difficult to plan a meal for.